Another band from an obscure country: SBS (stands for Spicy Bits of Scandal) have their base in Lithuania and - as far as I'm concerned - they are one of the oldest Metal bands around in their homeland. They released their first demo in 1988 (you can recall that the Soviet Union was active at the time) and since then they've offered three full-length CDs plus a DVD release (shot while they were supporting JUDAS PRIEST in 2003) up to this year's The Gambler album.
The vast majority of Metal fans seek bands from mainstream countries and that's quite reasonable since it has to do with the native language, accent, population etc, even politics. The last reason is the main one for few bands playing Hard Rock and Metal music in the so called ex-Eastern Bloc and ex-USSR. In countries like Poland, Hungary, the ex-Yugoslavia block and also Soviet countries it was not usual to have metalheads forming bands. First of all, it was rather rare to become a metalhead since the government control was so strict you'd not have the chance for basic info regarding the Metal going. Next, a good level of musicianship and skills was a dream when you could not afford an instrument or access to a music school. Hence, rare was the chance for a band to be formed and I can really recall a handful of outfits only from those areas.
To the music: SBS plays a weird mix of melodic Metal along with enough classic Metal lines and a draft layer of Hard pomp Rock based on keyboards and harmony vocals. The accent of Vitalis is peculiar, and this is quite logical; do not skip to a quick conclusion since his voice is in a very good level, without exaggerations, plus this peculiarity is a bonus if you want to listen to something not like the same old, same old.
The same goes for the music, with enough keys playing lead or backup role, interesting guitar themes with spacecraft or pompous intermezzos somehow unveiling the band's wide originality, the same time that the rhythm section meets the standards. The songs have enough meaning if you really like to hunt bands from all over the world. This is good since the methods are so unique in each rare country you'll have a tough time finding direct comparisons with mainstream bands, but on the other hand I strongly doubt many Metal fans will waste time and money for a band like SBS, even if The Gambler is a good album indeed.
I'd mention the (partially) mediocre production - especially in the drums section - as a drawback for the CD, plus the absence of an in-your-face 'hit' cannot raise the whole tracklist up, sadly. Still, fans of 'obscure' German or ex-Eastern Bloc Metal (if you know such bands you do not need any further mark) shall find very good spots in this CD. Anyway, Metal music is not an exclusive pattern for USA or UK or Germany or Sweden and bands like SBS are really worth a check at least. By the way, just finishing reading the interview SBS gave to Metal To Infinity webzine I was shocked to see they've been around since 1979 plus I confirmed Metal music is as flexible as the bands' motive/background is. Bands like SBS is a good case to notice Metal music with personality can still be written.
P.S.: The impressive CD package includes a bonus DVD with clip and live footage (great sound!) and audio and gallery pieces.